Systems and methods for the capture of heat energy, long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of the captured heat energy and power generated therefrom

ABSTRACT

A stand-alone long-distance closed-loop heat energy capture, conveyance, and delivery system, comprises three closed-loop modules in serial communication. The first module is in communication with a first closed-loop piping infrastructure interconnected with a source of heat energy, and has a LBP liquid circulating therein whereby the LBP liquid is converted into its gas phase when flowing through the source of heat energy thereby capturing a portion of heat energy therefrom, and is converted into its liquid phase when flowing through a first heat exchanger that transfers the captured-heat energy to a second closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein also is circulating a LBP liquid. The second closed-loop module may extend for long distances. The captured-heat energy in the second module is transferred to a third closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is also circulating a LBP liquid. The captured-heat energy is transferred from the third module to a delivery site.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to systems,equipment, and methods for capture of heat energy and the long-distanceconveyance, storage, and distribution of the captured-heat energy tousers. More specifically, this disclosure relates to the long-distanceconveyance, storage, and distribution of captured-heat energy at ambienttemperatures by utilizing the latent heat energy of low-boiling-pointfluids in conveyance lines, and to the utilization of some of thecaptured-heat energy for power the generation at or near heat capturelocations.

BACKGROUND

The effective capture and utilization of heat energy, in particularlower-temperature heat energy from sources such as geothermal, thermalsolar, waste heat, cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP), fueledboiler-heater, steam, and the like, for generating power and providingheating offers vast potential for energy efficiencies, development ofrenewable energy sources, and reduction of CO₂ emissions.

There have been considerable efforts to capture and utilize these typesof heat energy either as stand-alone projects or through district energydistribution systems, often also known as district heating systems,district energy sharing systems, or community distributed energysystems.

Historically, district heating systems have been largely fuel-firedcentral heating plants, often with cogeneration, that produce anddistribute the heat energy as high-temperature steam or hot water. Mostdistrict energy sharing installations in North America are part ofinstitutional infrastructures such as hospital complexes, universitycampuses, and in urban centers. In Europe, many district heating systemsare located in urban centers and are similarly characterized bycombustion-fueled heating plants that distribute steam or hot water. Onelimitation of such systems is the limited feasible areal extent due toheat losses from flowlines that carry steam or hot water. Furthermore,such district heating systems and district energy sharing systems arenot systems per se because they simply deliver heat energy in onedirection in response to demand.

Many district heat systems have been commissioned to utilizelow-temperature heat energy sources such as low-enthalpy (lowtemperature) geothermal sources. However, the utilization of fluids suchas hot water, limits the temperature ranges available for use to conveyand deliver captured-heat energy via the sensible heat contained in thehot water and thereby, limits the feasible areal extent of such systems.

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and other technologies such as Kalina cycle,sterling engine cycle, absorption, and the like, have been implementedto generate power from lower-temperature heat energy sources, wherebylow-temperature vaporization-point fluids also commonly referred to aslow-boiling-point fluids, such as ammonia, commercial refrigerants, CO₂,volatile hydrocarbons, and the like are utilized. Heat energy that isnot converted to mechanical energy for power generation is normallyejected because the exit temperatures are too low for heat utilization.As well, heat-sink temperatures restricted to ambient temperatures limitthe viability of lower-temperature heat sources for power generation.

Many communities, industrial installations, and resource-extractioninstallations are isolated from cost-effective power and energy supplyand distribution infrastructures because they may be located in remotesparsely populated areas or in regions with poor infrastructures. Oftenthese communities and installations have to rely on high-transport-costbulk liquid fuels such as diesel, to power generators and for fuel-firedheating. In arctic and near-arctic regions, transportation of suchmaterials is often seasonal with water-barge transport during the summermonths and by overland road trucking in the winter, and in certaincases, via air. Also, on-site construction, installation, andcommissioning costs are very high in such regions.

Impacts of catastrophic events such as hurricanes and earthquakesrequire stand-alone self-sufficient power generation and heatingcapacity that can be quickly set up on an emergency or temporary basis.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate tostand-alone systems, apparatus, and methods for:

-   (i) capturing heat energy from sources such as geothermal, thermal    solar, waste heat, cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP),    fueled boiler-heater, steam, and the like;-   (ii) employing a portion of the captured-heat energy for generation    of electrical power utilizing Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) or other    technologies such as Kalina cycle, sterling engine cycle,    absorption, and the like;-   (iii) transferring and converting the remaining captured-heat energy    to the latent heat of a low-boiling point-liquid by vaporization    into its vapor phase;-   (iv) conveying over long distances, the captured-heat energy    contained in the vapor of the low-boiling-point liquid as latent    heat at ambient temperatures instead of as high-temperature sensible    heat in hot liquids or as latent heat in high-boiling-point fluids;    and-   (v) converting the conveyed latent heat energy to sensible heat    energy at a delivery site by condensing the vapor of the    low-boiling-point liquid into its liquid phase.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the long-distanceconveyance of heat energy at ambient temperatures by the stand-alonesystems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein, is enabled through thedeployment of two or more closed-loop circulation systems connected inseries, wherein each of said closed-loops utilizes low-temperaturevaporization-point fluids (i.e., low-boiling-point fluids) such as, forexample, ethane, ammonia, commercial refrigerants, CO₂, volatilehydrocarbons, and the like. Aspects of the embodiments disclosed hereininclude power generation systems that incorporate lower heat-sinktemperatures in the power generation cycle (i.e., loop), thereby openingup opportunities to generate more power from lower-temperature heatsources.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the bundling oflong-distance flowlines along with power and communication cables viainstalling them by way of methods such as, but not limited to, bundlingas “umbilical cords” within tubing or wraps, or by placement of thebundled flowlines and cables into one trench or alternatively, byplacement of separated flowlines and cables into two or more closelyspaced-together trenches, or by ploughing the bundled flowlines into onerun or alternatively by ploughing separated flowlines and cables intotwo or more closely spaced-together runs, or by drawing the bundledflowlines through one bore or alternatively by drawing separatedflowlines and cables through two or more closely spaced-together bores,or by placing the flowlines and cables near to each other on groundsurfaces or on above-ground cable and pipe support racks.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates for equipmentconfigurations into integrated heat energy capture, storage,distribution, and delivery systems wherein included are network sharingand controls systems. The integrated heat energy capture, storage,distribution, and delivery systems have the means and capacity togenerate at least some or alternatively all, or alternatively, a surplusof power requisite for operation of the systems. Additionally, thepresent integrated heat energy capture, storage, distribution, anddelivery systems enable installation and stand-alone operation ofsmart-energy distribution and sharing systems in isolated regions andalso, within larger established energy infrastructure systems.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to theincorporation of systems of meters and data collection systems for therecording and assembly of mass flows and energy flows that can be usedto calculate heat-energy-transfer quantities for invoicing, payment, andother financial purposes.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a modularapproach for configuring the equipment, apparatus, and systems disclosedherein, onto and into transportable skids or trailers, whereby theequipment, apparatus and systems may be manufactured and configured atselected industrial locations, and then transported to remoteinstallation sites for rapid installation and commissioning of powergeneration and heating while minimizing on-site construction costs.Additionally, the transportable modularized equipment, apparatus, andsystems are useful for rapid response and deployment on a temporarybasis to locations that sustained loss of power and energyinfrastructures as a consequence of severe weather events such ashurricanes, tornados, and the like.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to configurationsof the equipment, apparatus, and systems into manufacturedself-contained modular units that can be fitted into confinedresidential spaces and/or confined commercial, wherein theconfigurations are provided with standardized couplers and receptaclesdesigned for ease-of-connection. According to one aspect, themanufactured self-contained modular units are inter-connectable asmultiple units at a location to facilitate scaling-up of heat-energy andpower supply capacity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent inthe following detailed description in which reference is made to theappended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment disclosedherein of a stand-alone long-distance three-loop closed-loop heat energycapture, generation of power from a portion of the captured-heat energy,conveyance, and delivery system 100;

FIG. 2 is the schematic flowchart shown in FIG. 1 with additionalreferences to certain components of the system;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 1, of the long-distanceconveyance components of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereinlong-distance flowlines, power cables, and communications cables arebundled together into an “umbilical cord” configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of the heat energycapture and power generation loop 111 of the system 100 shown in FIGS. 1and 2, wherein the heat energy source 104 comprises heat energy capturedfrom one or more of geothermal, thermal solar, and waste heat sources,wherein a portion of the captured-heat energy is used to produce power,and wherein the heat energy capture and power generation module 110receives an external supply of power 106;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of the heat energycapture and power generation loop 111 of the system 100 shown in FIGS. 1and 2, illustrating an additional input of heat energy captured from afueled boiler-heater;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of another embodiment ofa system 100 wherein the heat energy capture and power generation loop111 captures heat energy directly from a heat energy source 104 and aportion of the captured heat energy is used for power generation,according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is schematic flowchart showing another view of the heat energycapture and power generation loop 111 of the system 100 shown in FIG. 6,wherein the heat energy source 104 comprises heat energy captured fromone or more of geothermal 104 a, thermal solar 104 b, and waste heat 104c sources, wherein a portion of the captured-heat energy is used toproduce power,

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of the heat energycapture and power generation module 110 of the system 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2, wherein an external supply of power 106 is provided;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of the heat energycapture and power generation module 110 of the system 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2, illustrating an additional input of power captured by PV solarcells 106 a and/or by wind turbines 106 b into the external supply ofpower 106;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of the heat energycapture and power generation module 110 of the system 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2, illustrating additional power inputs from one or more of anelectrical grid, a smart energy grid, and a local distributed electricalgrid into the external supply of power 106;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of a heat energy captureand power generation module 210 of another embodiment of a stand-alonelong-distance three-loop closed-loop heat energy capture, conveyance,and delivery system 200, wherein none of the heat energy captured fromone or more heat energy sources 204 is used for power production in theheat energy capture module 210, and an external supply of power 206 isprovided;

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart showing a view of an optionalmodification 300 to the heat energy capture, conveyance, and deliverysystem 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the long-distanceconveyance loop 326 of the long-distance conveyance module is also theheat energy delivery loop 336;

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment of thepresent disclosure of the self-sufficient stand-alone long-distancethree-loop closed-loop heat energy capture, storage, distribution,delivery, storage, and sharing system 400, for capturing heat energyfrom a single heat energy source, generating power from a portion of thecaptured-heat energy, then conveying and delivering the captured-heatenergy and power therefrom along a conveyance infrastructure to multipledelivery modules;

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of thepresent disclosure of a self-sufficient stand-alone long-distancethree-loop closed-loop heat energy capture, storage, distribution,delivery, storage, and sharing system 500, wherein heat energy iscaptured from a plurality of heat energy sources and conveyed along amain trunk line, generating power from portions of the captured-heatenergy, and delivering the captured-heat energy and power from the maintrunk line to multiple delivery modules;

FIG. 15 is a key for the symbols used in FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart illustrating the locations of theworking fluid thermodynamic properties that were modelled for each ofthe three closed loops shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as discussed in Examples1 and 2;

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart illustrating the locations of thecirculating working fluid thermodynamic properties that were modelledfor the second closed-loop module 335 shown in FIG. 12, as discussed inExamples 3 and 4;

FIG. 18 is a table summarizing the operating parameters used for thethermodynamic model outlined in Example 1;

FIG. 19 is a chart showing the saturation (vapor) pressure curves forsome examples of low-boiling-point fluids suitable for use in the heatenergy conveyance loops disclosed herein;

FIG. 20 is a chart showing the enthalpy curves for somelow-boiling-point fluids suitable for use in the heat energy conveyanceloops disclosed herein;

FIG. 21 is a chart showing the entropy curves for some low-boiling-pointfluids suitable for use in the heat energy conveyance loops disclosedherein;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are charts showing the enthalpy curves (FIG. 22A) andentropy curves (FIG. 22B) for the working fluid used in the heat energycapture and power generation loop for the thermodynamic model outlinedin Example 1;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are charts showing the enthalpy curves (FIG. 23A) andentropy curves (FIG. 23B) for the working fluid used in thelong-distance conveyance loop for the thermodynamic model outlined inExample 1;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are charts showing the enthalpy curves (FIG. 24A) andentropy curves (FIG. 24B) for the working fluid used in the deliveryloop for the thermodynamic model outlined in Example 1;

FIG. 25 is a table summarizing the results of energy balancecalculations generated by the thermodynamic model outlined in Example 1;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are charts showing the relationship between heatsource temperature (FIG. 26A) and the fraction of heat energy that isavailable for power generation (FIG. 26B) in the calculations modelledby the thermodynamic model outlined in Example 1;

FIG. 27 is a table summarizing the results of modelling a long-distancethree-loop closed-loop heat energy capture, storage, distribution,delivery, storage, and sharing system that delivers heat energy andpower from one heat energy capture and power generation module toseveral users, as outlined in Example 2;

FIG. 28 is a table summarizing the operating parameters used for thethermodynamic model outlined in Example 3 that is a model of an exampleof a two-loop closed-loop system disclosed herein;

FIG. 29 is a table summarizing the results of energy balancecalculations generated by the thermodynamic model outlined in Example 3;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are charts showing the relationship between heatsource temperature (FIG. 30A) and the fraction of heat energy that isavailable for power generation (FIG. 30B) in the calculations modelledby the thermodynamic model outlined in Example 3; and

FIG. 31 is a table summarizing the results of modelling a long-distancetwo-loop closed-loop heat energy capture, storage, distribution,delivery, storage, and sharing system that supplies heat energy andpower from one heat energy capture and power generation module toseveral users as outlined in Example 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to integratedsystems, apparatus, and methods for the capture of heat energy and forthe long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy at ambient temperatures. The long-distanceconveyance and distribution of the captured-heat energy is facilitatedby utilizing the latent heat energy of low-boiling-point (LBP) fluids inclosed-loop conveyance lines. Some embodiments relate to the utilizationof some of the heat energy for the generation of power at or near heatcapture locations.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the long-distanceconveyance (transportation) of heat energy at ambient temperatures aslatent heat energy via a fluid in its vapor phase instead of as sensibleheat.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to thelong-distance conveyance of latent heat energy, via a fluid in its vaporphase, from a source of heat energy to a heat energy delivery site usinga two-loop closed-loop system, or alternatively a three-loop closed-loopsystem, in locations having ambient temperatures from a range of −40° C.to +50° C.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the ability toconvey heat energy long distances at below-freezing temperatures (lessthan 0° C.) thereby enabling the conveyance of heat energy throughsubsurfaces in regions with permafrost without thawing the permafrost.

According to a first aspect, the two-loop closed-loop systems disclosedherein generally consist of two loops wherein the first loop comprisesequipment and systems configured for capturing and transferring heatenergy from a heat energy source as well as for generating power. Thesecond loop comprises equipment, systems, and controls configured forreceiving the captured-heat energy from the first loop, for conveyingthe captured-heat energy for long distances, and for delivering thecaptured-heat energy to consumers. In regard to the first aspect, thefirst loop is referred to herein as a “heat energy capture and powergeneration loop”, and the second loop is referred to herein as a“long-distance captured-heat energy conveyance and delivery loop”.According to a second aspect, the three-loop closed-loop systemsdisclosed herein generally consist of three loops wherein the first loopcomprises equipment, systems, and controls configured for capturing andtransferring heat energy from a heat energy source as well as forgenerating power. The second loop comprises equipment, systems, andcontrols configured for receiving the captured-heat energy from thefirst loop, for conveying the captured-heat energy for long distancesand then transferring the captured-heat energy to a third loop whichcomprises equipment, systems, and controls configured delivering thecaptured-heat energy to consumers. In regard to the second aspect, thefirst loop is referred to herein as a “heat energy capture and powergeneration loop”, the second loop is referred to herein as a“long-distance heat energy conveyance loop”, and the third module isreferred to as a “heat energy delivery module”.

According to another aspect, the second loop may convey heat energy forlong distances at below freezing temperatures (less than 0° C.) therebyenabling the conveyance of heat through the subsurface in regions withpermafrost without thawing the permafrost. According to another aspect,the second loop may convey heat energy for long distances on permafrostsurfaces without thawing the permafrost surfaces.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to use of a portionof the captured-heat energy to generate electrical power for use topower equipment requisite for operation of the first module, wherein thefirst module is configured for capturing the heat energy andtransferring the captured-heat energy and generated power to the secondmodule, i.e., the long-distance conveyance module. According to oneaspect, excess electrical power generated in the first module may beconveyed in the second module for delivery to power consumers, andoptionally to provide electrical power for use to power equipmentrequisite for delivery of the captured-heat energy to a consumer.According to another aspect, supplemental power may be provided to thefirst module for powering equipment requisite for operation of the firstmodule, and optionally, for long-distance conveyance and delivery to apower consumer. In regard to this embodiment, the first module may bereferred to as a “heat energy capture and power generation module”, thesecond module may be referred to as a “long-distance captured-heatenergy and power transmission module”, and the third module may bereferred to as a “captured-heat energy and power delivery module”.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to configuration ofsystems and related methods of operation into two-loop or three-loopclosed-loop integrated heat energy capture, storage, distribution,delivery, storage, and sharing systems, which depending on thetemperature of the captured heat energy, can generate some, all, or asurplus of its power requirements, enable the installation ofself-sufficient smart energy distribution and sharing systems able tostand alone in situations where such systems are useful and/oradditionally, in isolated locations.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a stand-aloneand self-sufficient system comprising equipment and controls that areintegrated into the two-loop closed-loop and three-loop closed-loopsystems, apparatus, and methods for the capture of heat energy and forthe long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy. According to one aspect, the stand-alone equipmentand control system may be monitored and operated by on-site operators.According to another aspect, the stand-alone equipment and controlsystem may be monitored and operated by remotely located operators andoptionally, on a semi-attended basis. According to another aspect, thestand-alone equipment and control system may be monitored and controlledby on on-site operators and concurrently monitored by remotely locatedoperators.

Another embodiment of the present disclose relates to providing acontrol and communication system interconnected with and incommunication with an integrated system, apparatus, and related methodsfor the capture of heat energy and for the long-distance conveyance,storage, and distribution of the captured-heat energy configured asdisclosed herein, wherein the control and communication system isprogrammable to monitor and record (i) selected parameters associatedwith the flows of the LBP working fluids within and throughout each ofthe closed-loop piping infrastructures, (ii) the operating performanceof each apparatus in communication with each of the closed-loop pipinginfrastructure, and (iii) to control in accordance with predefinedoptimization parameters, one or more of the apparatus to optimize flowsof the LBP working fluids within and throughout each of the closed-looppiping infrastructures, whereby the delivery of the captured heat energyis optimized. According to one aspect, the control and communicationsystem may be configured for continuous on-site monitoring and control.According to another aspect, the control and communication system may beconfigured for continuous remote monitoring and control, According toanother aspect, the control and communication system may be configuredfor integrated continuous remote monitoring and control and remotemonitoring and control. According to another aspect, the control andcommunication system may be integrated with a “smart energy system”whereby process operations as well as the capture, long-distanceconveyance, storage, and distribution of heat energy, power, and powergenerated therefrom, are automatically optimized.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a system ofmeters and meter-monitoring systems integrated into each of the modulesdisclosed herein, to monitor, quantify, and record the flows ofcaptured-heat energy and power within and between each of the loopscomprising the systems disclosed herein, whereby the capture andconveyance of heat energy and power generated therefrom and optionallyprovided thereto, can be monetized.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to systems thatcomprise a long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmissiontrunk conveyance module interconnected with (i) a plurality of heatenergy capture modules and/or heat energy capture and power generationmodules that transfer captured-heat energy and generated power to thelong-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module, and (ii) a plurality of captured-heat energy andpower delivery modules wherein each of the captured-heat energy andpower delivery modules receives a portion of the captured-heat energyand power conveyed along the long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module. According to one aspect,systems comprising a long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module, interconnected with (i) aplurality of heat energy capture modules and/or heat energy capture andpower generation modules (i.e., first modules), and (ii) a plurality ofcaptured-heat energy and power delivery modules (i.e., third modules),may additionally comprise one or more heat sinks interconnected thereto.Examples of suitable heat sinks include subterranean geologicalformations and subterranean water bodies. Each heat sink may beinterconnected with the long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module by flowlines wherein iscirculating a LBP working fluid.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to equipment andcomponent configurations for the first module (i.e., the heat energycapture and power generation module) and for the third module (i.e., theheat energy delivery module) into standardized manufacturedself-contained modular units that may be fitted into confinedresidential spaces and/or confined commercial spaces, whereby dependingon a particular application, the modular units may compriseheight-width-depth sizes from the ranges of about 1 m to 4 m per side(for example, approximate sizes similar to one to four kitchenrefrigerators or freezers According to an aspect the standardizedmanufactured self-contained modular units may be provided withstandardized quick-release standardised couplers and receptaclesdesigned to facilitate demountable engagement of the modular units withflowlines, and cables.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to configuring andinstalling the equipment components for the first module (i.e., the heatenergy capture and power generation module) and for the third module(i.e., the heat energy delivery module), onto transportable skids. Themodular skids may be configured and fabricated at suitable manufacturingfacilities and then transported to remote sites for installation,commissioning, and use. For example, the modular skids may be sized tofit onto the decks of flat-bed trailers for hauling and/or carriage byheavy-duty over-road truck tractors and/or by rail and/or by bargesand/or by ships. Examples of suitable skid dimensions include: (i) NorthAmerican specifications for flat-bed trailer decks having widths of 8.5′(2.6 m) and lengths ranging between 40′ (12.2 m) and 63′ (19.2 m), and(ii) European specifications for flat-bed decks having widths of 2.55 m(8.4′) and lengths ranging between 12 m (39.4′) and 18.5 m (60.7′). Itis optional for the skid-mounted modules to be enclosed with sidewallsand roofs for protection from environmental conditions and to preventvandalism. Particularly suitable are intermodal shipping containers thatare designed and built for intermodal freight transport. Those skilledin this art will understand that intermodal containers are designed suchthat they can be used for shipping goods with multiple modes oftransport options such as by ship, by rail, by truck, and by air.Intermodal container handling equipment is commonly available at cargoreceiving and distribution facilities, for loading and unloading thesame types of intermodal containers onto and from a ship, onto and froma rail car, onto and from a transport truck trailer, and onto and from acargo airplane. Intermodal containers commonly have dimensions that are:(i) either twenty feet or forty feet (6.1 m or 12.2 m) long, (ii) eightand a half feet or nine and a half feet (2.6 m or 2.9 m) high, and (iii)six and a quarter feet of eight feet (1.9 m or 2.44 m) wide, and areconfigured to fit onto the decks of North American trailer decks andEuropean trailer decks. Those skilled in this art will know that suchintermodal containers have numerous common names including sea-cans,C-cans, Conex boxes, cargo containers, among others.

The skid-mounted modules disclosed herein may be configured for use inremote harsh environmental conditions (for example tundra permafrost,desert), or in isolated mining camps, or in refugee camps, or in remotemilitary installations and staging areas. The skid-mounted modulesdisclosed herein may also be configured into/onto smaller skids/trailerunits towable by 2-wheel-drive and/or 4-wheel-drive vehicles for rapiddeployment and commissioning to provide emergency power and heatingsupplies to population areas wherein their power and energyinfrastructures were catastrophically damaged by severe weather such ashurricanes, tornadoes, and the like.

According to some aspects, the integrated systems, apparatus, andmethods disclosed herein pertain to the capture of heat energy fromgeothermal sources, from thermal solar sources, from waste heat emittedvia exhaust gases from internal-combustion engines, flue gases fromcombustion processes, from fueled boiler-heater plants, from steamplants, from hot or warm waste streams from processing facilities, fromcogeneration of heat and electricity, from combined heat and power (CHP)plants, and the like.

According to some aspects, heat energy captured by the integratedsystems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein, is used to convert LBPfluids circulating in closed-loop conveyance lines comprising thesystems from their fluid phase into their vapor phase.

According to some aspects, the integrated systems, apparatus, andmethods disclosed herein, may be configured to capture heat energy bycirculating LBP working fluids as well as by fluids such as water, hotoil, glycol solution, gases, and the like, with or without causing aphase change.

According to some aspects, the integrated systems, apparatus, andmethods disclosed herein, may be configured to deliver heat energy bycirculating LBP working fluids as well fluids such as water, hot oil,glycol solution, gases including combustion gases, and the like, with orwithout phase change.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereingenerally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Exemplaryterms are defined below for ease in understanding the disclosuredescribed herein.

The term “a” or “an” refers to one or more of that entity; for example,“a gene” refers to one or more genes or at least one gene. As such, theterms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” are usedinterchangeably herein. In addition, reference to an element or featureby the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibilitythat more than one of the elements or features are present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there is one and only one of the elements.

The term “about” as used herein is meant to encompass variations of±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5% or ±0.1% of the specified amount. When thevalue is a whole number, the term about is meant to encompass decimalvalues, as well the degree of variation just described.

The term “ambient temperature” as used herein means the temperature ofthe surrounding environment measured as atmospheric temperature. Thesurrounding environment may be above ground level wherein the ambienttemperature will be the average temperature of the air in a band thatextends to about 30 m above the ground surface, will vary with thelatitude of a location or region and its annual seasonal cycle, and maybe in the range of −50° C. to over 50° C. Alternatively, the surroundingenvironment may be below the ground surface level in which case, theambient temperature will the temperature of the surrounding subsoillayers and may also be in the range of −40° C. to about 40° C.

The term “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possiblecombinations of one or more of the associated listed items (e.g. one orthe other, or both), as well as the lack of combinations wheninterrupted in the alternative (or).

As used herein, the term “enthalpy” refers to a thermodynamic quantityequivalent to the total energy content of a substance, and is equal tothe internal energy of the system plus the product of pressure andvolume.

As used herein, the term “latent heat energy” refers to the heat energyreleased from or absorbed by condensing or vaporizing a fluidcirculating within the closed-loop heat-energy conveyance systemsdisclosed herein.

As used herein, the term latent heat as used herein refers to the energyabsorbed or released by a substance during a change in its physicalstate (i.e., phase) that occurs without changing its temperature. Thelatent heat associated with vaporizing a liquid or a solid or condensinga vapor is called the heat of vaporization. The latent heat is normallyexpressed as the amount of heat (in units of joules or calories) permole or unit mass of the substance undergoing a change of state.

As used herein, the term “low-boiling-point fluid” (low-temperaturevaporization-point fluid) refers to a fluid that boils (i.e., vaporizes)i.e., undergoes a phase change from liquid to vapor at a temperature ofabout −30° C. or less at 1 Bar (one atmosphere of pressure). Examples oflow-boiling-point fluids suitable for use and conveyance in theclosed-loop circulation systems disclosed herein, include but are notrestricted to ammonia (BP about −36° C.), CO₂ (BP about −78° C.), ethane(BP about −88° C.), chlorodifluoromethane refrigerant R-22 (BP about−41° C.), dichlorodifluoromethane refrigerant R-12 (BP about −30° C.),difluoromethane R-32 (BP about −52° C.), other commercial refrigerants,propane (BP about −42° C.), propene (BP about −47° C.), propylene (BPabout −47° C.), other volatile hydrocarbons, and the like. The term“low-boiling-point” may be represented herein by the acronym “LBP”.

As used herein, the term “fluid” refers to a substance in the form of aliquid or a vapor or a gas that flows and conforms to the outline of itscontainer, and includes LBP (low-boiling-point, low-vaporization-point)substances such as ethane, ammonia, commercial refrigerants, CO₂,volatile hydrocarbons as well substances such as water, hot oil, glycolsolution, gases including combustion gases, flue gases, and the like,with or without phase change.

As used herein, the term “sensible heat” refers to the heat energycontent of a circulating liquid without any phase changes, and is afunction of changes in temperature of the fluid.

As used herein, the term “low-temperature waste heat” means low-enthalpywaste heat below 140° C. that may be captured from waste heat energy andenergy in general from geothermal sources, from thermal solar sources,from hot or warm processing plant streams, combustion gases, from fueledboiler-heater plants, from steam plants, from cogeneration of heat andelectricity, from combined heat and power (CHP) plants, and the like.

As used herein, the term “geothermal body” refers to: (i) geothermalenergy contained within geothermal geological formations such assubterranean warm or subterranean hot, dry crystalline basement rock andto deep warm aquifers and deep hot aquifers contained in fracturedcrystalline basement rock (also referred to herein as a “geothermalgeological formation”), (ii) near-surface subsoils and fresh wateraquifers, and (iii) to bodies of water, that may or may not be heated bygeothermal energy.

As used herein, the term “PV solar” refers to electricity provided fromphotovoltaic solar cells that convert light energy (i.e., photons) intovoltage.

As used herein, the term “electrical grid” refers to refers to aninterconnected network for delivering electricity from producers toconsumers. Electrical grids comprise generating facilities that produceelectrical power, transmission lines that carry electrical power fromsources to distribution centres, and distribution lines that connectindividual customers to distribution centres.

As used herein, the term “smart energy grid” refers to refers to anintegrated network that controls in real time the generation, supply,distribution, use, and storage of electricity and heat energy within aninterconnected system of devices, through the two-way control anddistribution of electricity and heat energy. A smart energy gridcomprises interactive controls, control systems, automated devices, andequipment.

As used herein, the term “local distributed electrical grid” refers to a“smart energy grid” that is local to an area or community, and not partof a widely distributed integrated electrical management network.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a stand-alone systemand related apparatus and equipment for capture of heat energy, and forthe long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy to users. The captured-heat energy is captured,conveyed, and delivered by utilizing the latent heat energy of LBPfluids in closed-loop conveyance lines that are in communication with:(i) one or more sources of heat energy and (ii) one or more deliverysites whereto the captured-heat energy is transferred.

According to one aspect, one or more flowlines wherein is circulating aLBP fluid, with or without phase changes, may be employed for capturingheat energy from a geothermal source, or a thermal solar source, or fromhot or warm processing plant streams, or from combustion gas waste heat,or from a combustion-fired heating plant, or from a cogenerationfacility, or from a combined heat and power (CHP) facility, from afueled boiler-heater facility, or other such sources. In particular, theembodiments disclosed herein are particularly useful for capturinglow-temperate waste heat (i.e., having a temperature of less than 140°C.) from such sources.

According to another aspect, a portion of the waste heat energy capturedby the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein, may be used forgenerating electricity with one or more of technologies and equipmentbased on, for example, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), the Kalinacycle, sterling engine cycle, or absorption. It is within the scope ofthis disclosure for such systems and apparatus to use the portion of theheat energy for generation of electricity nearby the source(s) fromwhere the heat energy is captured. It is also within the scope of thisdisclosure for such systems and apparatus to use the portion of thecaptured-heat energy for generation of electricity nearby delivery sitesand the users of the captured-heat energy.

According to another aspect, the remaining captured-heat energy not usedfor generation of electricity, may be transferred and converted into thelatent heat of a fluid by vaporizing a LBP liquid into its vapor phasein a closed-loop piping infrastructure, conveying the captured-heatenergy in the LBP liquid's vapor phase as latent heat in one or moreclosed-loop piping infrastructures at ambient temperatures over longdistances at ambient external temperatures to delivery sites. Thecaptured-heat energy is released from the LBP liquid by condensing thevapor phase into the liquid phase whereby that the conveyed latent heatenergy is converted to sensible heat. The sensible heat is thendistributed to heating apparatus such as radiant heaters,air-circulating heaters, and the like, or alternatively, viaintermediate systems such as circulation of hot water.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to bundlinglong-distance closed-loop flowlines together with electrical cables andcommunication cables by way of forming “umbilical cords” with tubing orwraps, or alternatively, placement of the flowlines and cables into onetrench or into adjacent trenches, or alternatively, ploughing theflowlines and cables into on run or into adjacent runs, oralternatively, drawing the flowlines and cables through one bore orthrough adjacent bores, or by placing the flowlines and cables near toeach other on the surface or on above ground electrical cable and pipesupports.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to incorporation of asystem of meters and a data monitoring and control system for recordingmass flow data and energy flow data, and for the processing and assemblyof the data for calculations of heat energy capture, transfer, anddelivery amounts for use in monetization of the heat energy capture, theconveyance of the captured-heat energy, and the delivery of thecaptured-heat energy to consumers.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to configuring thevarious apparatus and equipment requisite for the systems and methodsdisclosed herein, into modules that will fit onto transportable skids orinto trailers, thereby enabling an economical manufacturing ofcomponents with minimal on-site work required for installation andcommissioning. Such modular embodiments of the systems disclosed hereinmay be particularly useful in remote areas, or regions with poorinfrastructure services, or where portability/transportability willfacilitate rapid set-up of generation of electricity and heatingcapacity on an emergency or temporary basis.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to configuring theequipment, apparatus, and systems disclosed herein into manufacturedself-contained modular units that can be fitted into confinedresidential spaces and/or confined commercial spaces, wherein themodular units are provided with standardized quick-release couplers andreceptacles for rapid demountable engagement with flowlines and cables.

An embodiment of present disclosure pertaining to a stand-aloneintegrated system, apparatus, and methods for the capture of heat energyand for the long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy at ambient temperatures is illustrated in FIGS. 1to 3. The illustrated stand-alone integrated system is a three-loopclosed-loop system 100 comprising three modules 110, 125, 135interconnected by three loops 111, 126, 136 wherein each loop 111, 126,136 is circulating a LBP fluid. The first module 110 is a heat energycapture and power generation module. The second module 125 is along-distance captured-heat energy conveyance module. The third module135 is a captured-heat energy delivery module. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the elements of the heat energy capture and power generation loop 111and the heat exchanger 13 (evaporator) of the conveyance loop arelocated in the heat energy capture and power generation module 110, theelements of the delivery loop 136 and the heat exchanger 32 (condenser),compressor 23, and expansion value 24 of the conveyance loop 126 arelocated in the captured-heat energy delivery module 135; and thelong-distance captured-heat energy conveyance module 125 is comprised ofthe long distance conveyance flowlines 21 and 22, power and controlcables 53 and 62, and booster compressors and pumps 25 and 26.

The heat energy capture and power generation loop 111 is connected to aheat energy source 104 by a piping infrastructure 5 comprising a pipe 6in communication with the heat energy source 104 and a heat exchanger 10within the heat energy capture and power generation loop 111, and a pipe7 in communication with the heat exchanger 10 and the heat energy source104. A working fluid circulates within the piping infrastructure 5 inpipes 6, 7.

The heat energy capture and power generation loop 111 in the heat energycapture and power generation module 110 comprises the heat exchanger 11which is in communication with the heat energy source 104, a turbine 11,a second heat exchanger 13, and a pump 14. A portion of the heat energycaptured from the heat energy source 104 and delivered to the heatexchanger 10 is utilized by the turbine 11 via organic Rankine cycle(ORC) technology to produce power with a generator 12 interconnected tothe turbine 11. The remaining captured-heat energy flows to the secondheat exchanger 13 wherein the heat energy is transferred to a pipe 21 ofa second closed-loop piping infrastructure 20 comprising the second loop126 which is referred to herein as the long-distance conveyance loop126. A LBP fluid circulates within the second closed-loop pipinginfrastructure 20 and is converted into its vapor phase by the secondheat exchanger 13.

The long-distance conveyance loop 126 comprises the second closed-looppiping infrastructure 20 having a pipe 21 in communication with thesecond heat exchanger 13 in module 110 and a third heat exchanger 32within the third module 135, and a pipe 22 in communication with thethird heat exchanger 32 and the second heat changer 13. A LBP fluidcirculates within the second closed-loop piping infrastructure 20 in itsvapor phase in pipe 21 and in its fluid phase in pipe 22. Long-distanceconveyance of the captured-heat energy is enabled by converting heatenergy transferred to the heat energy conveyance loop 126 to latent heatby vaporizing a LBP liquid into its vapor phase, and conveying heatenergy as latent heat at ambient temperatures instead ofhigh-temperature sensible heat contained in hot liquids or as latentheat in high-boiling-point vapors. It is suitable to provide, ifnecessary, one or more booster compressors 25 in communication with thevapor flowline 21 to maintain the vapor flow rate within a desiredpressure range along the entire length of the long-distance conveyancemodule 125. It is also suitable to provide one or more booster pumps 26in communication with the liquid flowline 22 to maintain the liquid flowrate within a desired range along the entire length of the long-distanceconveyance module 125.

The heat energy delivery loop 136 comprises the third heat exchanger 32interconnected with a compressor 33, the fourth heat exchanger 34, andan expansion valve 35, and a piping infrastructure 40 in communicationwith the fourth heat exchanger 34. The heat energy delivery loop 136utilizes the captured-heat energy conveyed by the long-distanceconveyance module 125 by condensing the vapor phase of the LBP liquid inline 21 to its liquid phase in the third heat exchanger 32 therebyreleasing the latent heat and transferring it to pipe 41 of the pipinginfrastructure 40 via the fourth heat exchanger 34 whereby thecaptured-heat energy is delivered to the heat user 140 a. Thecaptured-heat energy may then be transferred to heating devices such asradiant heaters, aerial fan-driven heating coils or hot-water heaters orboilers heating circulating hot water or steam, and the like.

It is to be noted that the same LBP circulating fluid may be used in allthree closed-loop piping infrastructures. Alternatively, a different LBPcirculating fluid may be used in each of the three closed-loop pipinginfrastructures, and may be selected for optimal performance within therange of ambient conditions and operating conditions wherein each of theclosed-loop piping infrastructure is deployed.

It is to be noted that the circulating working fluids in pipinginfrastructures 5 and 40 may be LBP fluids or alternatively, the workingfluids may be water, hot oil, glycol solution, gases includingcombustion gases, and the like, and may or may not undergo phase changeswhile circulating throughout the piping infrastructures 5 and 40.

Those skilled in these arts will understand that use of LBP fluidsenables the step-down of captured-heat energy temperatures in a range of30° C. to 140° C. to temperatures in a range −10° C. to 50° C. forlong-distance conveyance, and then stepped-up at one or more deliverysites to temperatures suitable for heating.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the heat energy capturedfrom heat energy source 104, may be used for continuous generation ofelectrical power by the heat energy capture and power generation loop111 via the first heat exchanger 10, the turbine 11, the generator 12,the second heat exchanger 13, and the pump 14. However, it is within thescope of the present invention to modify the heat energy capture andpower generation loop 111 by substituting for the turbine 12, equipmentsuch as a scroll or a screw or a rotary vane or other types of expandersknown to those skilled in this art. It is also suitable, if so desired,to substitute for the ORC equipment, any one of Kalina cycle equipment,sterling engine cycle equipment, absorption power generation equipment,and the like. Those skilled in this art will understand that otherconfigurations and equipment such as reheat cycles, regenerative cycles,combined reheat and regenerative cycles, and the like, may be selectedto adapt and optimize the systems disclosed herein, for specificsituations and/or operating conditions and/or optimization goals.

The electrical power generated by the generator 12 is transmitted by apower cable 50 from the heat energy capture and power generation module110 via electrical power transmission trunk cable 53 in thelong-distance conveyance module 125 to the heat energy delivery module135, and then delivered to a power user 140 b. A portion of electricalpower may be transferred from power cable 50 to power cable 51 forpowering the pump 14 in the first heat energy capture and powergeneration module 110. A portion of electrical power may be transferredfrom power cable 50 to power cable 52 for powering the control andcommunications equipment 60. A portion of the electrical powertransmitted in trunk electrical power transmission trunk cable 53 may beused to power the booster compressor(s) 25 and booster pump(s) 26 in thelong-distance conveyance module 125. Electrical power may be transmittedfrom electrical power transmission trunk cable 53 via power transmissioncable 54 to power compressor 23 in the long-distance conveyance loop126. Electrical power may be transmitted from trunk electrical powertransmission trunk cable 53 via power transmission cable 55 to powercompressor 33 in the heat energy delivery loop 136. A portion ofelectrical power may be transferred from power transmission trunk cable53 to power cable 56 for powering the control and communicationsequipment 64. Electrical power may be transmitted from trunk electricalpower transmission trunk cable 53 to a power user 140 b.

One or more control systems cable(s) 62 interconnect the control andcommunications equipment 60 in the heat energy capture and powergeneration module 110, with the control and communications equipment 64in the heat energy delivery module 135.

In regard to the long-distance conveyance module 125, it is suitable tobundle together the second closed-loop piping infrastructure 50 pipes21, 22 with the power transmission trunk cable 53 and the controlsystems cables 62 into a single line bundle 65 (FIG. 3). The line bundle65 may be formed into an “umbilical cord” by wrapping the pipes 21, 22,power transmission trunk cable 53, and control systems cables 62 withsuitable materials. Suitable wrapping materials include insulatingfabrics and aluminized fabrics. Examples of such wrapping materialsinclude, but are not limited to, ZETEX® and ZETEXPLUS® fiberglass tapesand tubings, and Z-FLEX® aluminized fabric tapes (ZETEX, ZTEXPLUS, andZ-FLEX are registered trademarks of Newtex Industries Inc., Victor,N.Y., USA). Alternatively, the second closed-loop piping infrastructure20 pipes 21, 22, the power transmission trunk cable 53, and the controlsystems cables 62 may be placed into close, but separated proximity, ina single trench provided therefor. Alternatively, the pipes 21, 22, thepower transmission trunk cable 53, and the control systems cables 62 maybe placed into separate but adjacent trenches provided therefor.Alternatively, the second closed-loop piping infrastructure 20 pipes 21,22, the power transmission trunk cable 53, and the control systemscables 62 may be placed into a single ploughed run. Alternatively, thepipes 21, 22, the power transmission trunk cable 53, and the controlsystems cables 62 may be placed into separate but adjacent ploughed runsprovided therefor. Alternately the pipes 21, 22, the power transmissiontrunk cable 53, and the control systems cables 62 may be placed near toeach other on the surface or on surface-cable and flowline supports. Aline bundle, according to the present disclosure, may extend for longdistances between the heat energy capture and power generation module110 and the heat energy delivery module 135. For example, the longdistance may be 100 m, or 500 m, or 1 km, or 5 km, or 10 km, or 15 km,or 20 km, or 25 km, or 30 km, or 35 km, or 40 km, or 45 km, or 50 km, or55 km, or 60 km, or 65 km, or 70 km, or 75 km, or 80 km, or 85 km, or 90km, or 95 km, or 100 km, or longer.

Those skilled in this art will recognize that the long-distanceconveyance loop 126 will have engineering thermodynamic characteristicsthat are similar to those of a simplified heat pump cycle. It is withinthe scope of the present disclosure, if so desired, to configure intothe long-distance conveyance module 125 and the long-distance conveyanceloop 126, equipment configured for incorporation of cascade systems,multistage compression systems, absorption technologies, and the like.

Another embodiment relates to the use of LBP fluids for circulationwithin the two-loop or three-loop capture, conveyance, and deliverysystems disclosed herein.

Another embodiment relates to the use of LBP fluids or alternatively,fluids such as water, hot oil, glycol solution, gases includingcombustion gases, exhaust gases, and the like, with or without phasechanges, for transferring heat energy into and out of the two-loop orthree-loop capture, conveyance, and delivery systems disclosed herein.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a system ofmeters that measure and record data relating to the capture,transmission, and delivery of heat energy, mass flow rates,low-boiling-point fluid conditions within the fluid flowlines, andelectrical power generated, transmitted and delivered. The scope of thepresent disclosure include a data collection and management system thatenables recording and assembly of fluid mass and energy flow data forcalculating heat energy and power transfer amounts for monetizationpurposes.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat energy capture and power generationmodule 110 includes meter 6 m that measures the heat energy flowing inline 6 of the piping infrastructure 5 from the heat energy source 104 tothe first heat exchanger 10 of the heat energy capture and powergeneration loop 111. Meter 7 m measures the heat energy flowing in thefluid in line 7 from the first heat exchanger 10 to the heat energysource 104, thereby enabling quantification of the amount of heat energycaptured by the heat energy capture and power generation loop 111 fromthe heat energy source 104. If appropriate, the operator of thethree-loop closed-loop system 100 may make payments to the owner of theheat energy source 104 for the quantities of heat energy captured fromthe heat energy source 104. The heat energy capture and power generationmodule 110 also includes meter 21 a for measuring the heat energy in thevapor flowing out of the second heat exchanger 13 wherein the LBPworking fluid flowing in line 21 has been converted into its vaporphase, and also includes meter 22 c for measuring the heat energy of theLBP liquid phase flowing in line 22 into the second heat exchanger 13.The difference in the measurements between meters 21 a and 6 m enablesquantification of the portion of the captured-heat energy used forelectrical power generation by the turbine 11 and generator 12. Thedifference in measurements between meters 21 a, 22 c enablesquantification of the amounts of capture heat energy transferred fromthe heat energy capture and power generation loop 111 of the firstmodule 110 to the long-distance conveyance loop 126 of the second module125. Meter 50 m measures the electrical power generated and output bythe turbine 11 and generator 12 into the trunk power transmission line50. Meter 51 m measures the power diverted from the trunk powertransmission line 50 via electrical line 51 to power the pump 14 in theheat energy capture and power generation loop 111, while meter 53 ameasures the electrical power conveyed by the power transmission trunkcable 53 into the long-distance conveyance loop 126 of the second module125.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat energy delivery module 135 includesmeter 21 b that measures the heat energy flowing in the vapor phase ofthe LBP fluid in line 21 of the second closed-loop piping infrastructure20, and may provide information that the control systems 60, 64 may beused to regulate the operation of compressor 23 to increase or decreasethe flow rate of the working fluid in line 21 to the third heatexchanger 32 of the heat energy delivery loop 136 in the third module135. Meter 21 c measures the heat energy flowing in the LBP fluid inline 21 of the second closed-loop piping infrastructure 20 aftercompression by compressor 23 and into third heat exchanger 32. Meters 22a, 22 b measure the heat energy flowing in the LBP fluid line 22 of thesecond closed-loop piping infrastructure 20 before and after expansionvalve 24, and may provide information that the control systems 60, 64may use to modulate the operation of expansion valve 24 to increase ordecrease the flow rate of the LBP liquid phase in line 22 back to thesecond heat exchanger 13 in the heat energy capture and power generationloop 111 of the first module 110. The difference in measurements betweenmeters 21 c, 22 a enables quantification of the amounts of capture heatenergy transferred from the long-distance conveyance loop 126 of thesecond module 125 to the heat energy delivery loop 136 in the thirdmodule 135.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat energy delivery module 135 includesmeter 41 m that measures the heat energy flowing in the working fluid inline 41 of the piping infrastructure 40, from the fourth heat exchanger34 to the heat user 140 a. Meter 42 m measures the heat energy flowingin the working fluid in line 42 from the heat user 140 a to the fourthheat exchanger 34 of the heat energy delivery loop 136. The differencesin data recorded by meters 41 m, 42 m enable precise quantification ofthe amounts of heat energy transferred from the heat energy deliveryloop 136 to the heat user 140 a, thereby enabling the operator of thethree-loop closed-loop system 100 to invoice the heat user 140 a for theamounts of captured-heat energy supplied to the heat user 140 a.

Electrical power may be diverted from the power transmission trunk cable53 via electrical line 54 to power the compressor 23 as necessary tomodulate the flow of captured-heat energy in the LBP working fluid line21 to the third compressor 23. Electrical power may be diverted from thepower transmission trunk cable 53 via electrical line 55 to powercompressor 33 as necessary to regulate the flow of fluid in the heatenergy delivery loop 136. The amounts of electrical power diverted topower compressor pump 23 is monitored and recorded by meter 54 m, whilemeter 55 m monitors and records the amounts of power diverted from thepower transmission trunk cable 53 to compressor pump 33. Meter 53 bcontinuously monitors and records the amounts of electrical powerdelivered from the heat energy delivery loop 136 to a power user 140 bvia power transmission trunk cable 53.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the utilizationof an automated control and communication system 60, 64 interconnectedby control systems cables 62 for monitoring, modulating, and optimizingthe flows of heat energy and electrical power in the heat energy captureand power generation loop 111, the heat-energy conveyance loop 126, andthe heat energy delivery loop 136. The automated control andcommunication system 60, 64 may be configured to enable remote andoff-site communication, monitoring, control to enable semi-attendedoperations rather than continuous on-site operator attendance. If sodesired, a “smart energy system” may be incorporated to optimize processoperations as well as the capture, long-distance conveyance, storage,and distribution of heat energy, power, and power generated therefrom.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the heat energysource 104 may comprise heat energy captured from a geothermal body orformation 104 a (FIG. 4) wherein the piping infrastructure 5 isinterconnected with the geothermal body 104 a via flowlines 70, 71.Meters 70 m, 71 m record the differences between captured-heat energyflowing out of the geothermal body 104 a in flowline 70 and the heatenergy of the working fluid in flowline 71 returning to the geothermalbody 104 a.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the heat energysource 104 may comprise heat energy captured from a thermal solar source104 b (FIG. 4) wherein the piping infrastructure 5 is interconnectedwith the thermal solar source 104 a via flowlines 72, 73. Meters 72 m,73 m record the differences between captured-heat energy flowing out ofthe thermal solar source 104 b in flowline 72 and the heat energy in theflowline 73 returning to the thermal solar source 104 b.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the heat energysource 104 may comprise heat energy captured from a waste heat source104 c (FIG. 4) wherein the piping infrastructure 5 is interconnectedwith the waste heat source 104 c via flowlines 74, 75. Meters 74 m, 75 mrecord the differences between captured-heat energy flowing out of thewaste heat source in flowline 74 and the heat energy in the flowline 75returning to the waste heat source 104 c. Some examples of suitablesources of waste heat include low-temperature heat energy that may becaptured from waste heat emitted via exhaust gases frominternal-combustion engines, flue gases from combustion processes,hot-waste streams and/or warm-waste streams from processing facilities,cogeneration equipment, combined heat and power (CHP) equipment, and thelike.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure for a stand-aloneintegrated system, apparatus, and methods for the capture of heat energyand for the long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy at ambient temperatures as illustrated anddescribed in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 for the pipinginfrastructure 5 to communicate with two or more sources of heat energy,for example two or more of a geothermal body 140 a, a thermal solarsource 104 b, a source of waste heat 104 c, and the like.

In some installations, the heat energy captured from such heat energysources may be insufficient to supply the demand from users for deliveryof captured-heat energy, and additionally, provide sufficient heatenergy to generate electrical power. Accordingly, another embodiment ofthe present disclosure relates to apparatus, equipment, and methods forproviding a supplement heat energy supply from a fueled boiler-heater108 (FIG. 5) whereby a working fluid in flowline 6 of first pipinginfrastructure 5 flows via flowline 76 into the fueled boiler-heater 108wherein additional heat energy is transferred to the working fluidflowing out of the fueled boiler-heater 108 via flowline 77 and into thefirst heat exchanger 10. The control & communication systems 60continuously monitor the data recorded by meter 76 m on the workingfluid flowline 76 and meter 77 m on the working fluid flowline 77, andtherewith modulate the inflow and outflow of the working fluidcirculating in the piping infrastructure 5 into and out of the fueledboiler-heater 108 to provide a minimum desired threshold level ofcaptured-heat energy into the heat energy capture and power generationloop 111.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstheat energy capture and power generation loop 111 of the three-loopclosed-loop system 100 may be modified as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,by removal of the first heat exchanger 10 from the first heat energycapture and power generation module 100, and by placing a substituteheat exchanger 15 directly within, or alternatively, adjacent to theheat energy source 104. The flowline 6 of piping infrastructure 5interconnects the substitute heat exchanger 15 with turbine 11 of thefirst heat energy capture and power generation loop 111, and flowline 7of piping infrastructure 5 interconnects the substitute heat exchanger15 with the pump 14. According to this embodiment, it is suitable to usea LBP working fluid for circulation within the piping infrastructure 5wherein the LBP working fluid is in its liquid phase in flowline 7 andis transformed into its vapor phase by the heat energy captured fromheat source 104 by substitute heat exchanger 15. The captured heatenergy is conveyed in the vapor phase of the LBP working fluid byflowline 6, to the turbine 11. In this embodiment, meter 7 m measuresthe heat energy flowing in flowline 7 into the heat energy source 104and the substitute heat exchanger 15 while meter 6 m measures the heatenergy flowing in the flowline 6 from the substitute heat exchanger 15and the heat energy source 104, thereby enabling quantification of theamount of heat energy captured by the heat energy capture and powergeneration loop 111 from the heat energy source 104 (FIG. 6).

It is optional, if so desired in accordance with the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, to additionally capture heat energy from ageothermal body or formation 104 a (FIG. 6) and/or to additionallycapture heat energy from a thermal solar source 104 b (FIG. 6) and/or toadditionally capture heat energy from a waste heat source 104 c (FIG. 6)for conveyance in flowline 6 of the first heat energy capture and powergeneration loop 111. Some examples of suitable geothermal bodies includewarm and hot sedimentary and fractured basement rock aquifers as wellnear surface subsoils and fresh water aquifers. Some examples ofsuitable sources of waste heat include low-temperature heat energy thatmay be captured from cogeneration equipment, combined heat and power(CHP) equipment, physical plant processing systems, and the like.

It is also optional, if so desired in accordance with the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, to replace the substitute heat exchanger 15with a piping infrastructure that may comprise a loop (not shown)ingressing into and egressing from a geothermal geological formation, ora wellbore, wherein a first ingressing portion of the loop isinterconnected with flowline 7 of piping infrastructure 5 and a secondegressing portion of the loop is interconnected with flowline 6 ofpiping infrastructure 5 of the heat energy capture and power generationloop 111. Alternatively, the substitute heat exchanger 15 shown in FIGS.6, 7, may be substituted for with a flowline, a pipe, a tubing, acoiled-tubing loop, and the like (not shown) that is located within asuitable heat energy source, for example a surface water body, asubterranean water body, a deep geological aquifer, a shallowfresh-water aquifer, a process holding pond, a tank containing processfluids, and the like. A first ingressing end of the coiled-tubing loopis interconnected with flowline 7 of piping infrastructure 5 and asecond egressing portion of the coiled-tubing loop is interconnectedwith flowline 6 of piping infrastructure 5 of the heat energy captureand power generation loop 111. LBP fluids are suitable working fluidsfor circulation within the heat energy capture and power generation loop111 wherein the substitute heat exchanger 15 has been replaced with aflowline or a pipe or a tubing or a coiled-tubing loop, and the like.

Some installations of the stand-alone integrated system, apparatus, andmethods for the capture of heat energy and for the long-distanceconveyance, storage, and distribution of the captured-heat energy atambient temperatures as illustrated and described in reference to FIGS.1 and 2, may be within proximity of an electrical grid infrastructurewherein power generated elsewhere, is transmitted. Accordingly, anotherembodiment of the present disclosure relates to supplementing theelectrical power generated within the heat energy capture and powergeneration loop 111 from captured-heat energy, with a supply ofelectrical power 106 from an electrical grid infrastructure via powertransmission line 78 (FIG. 8). The amounts of supplemental electricalpower 106 received from an electrical grid infrastructure is monitoredby a meter 78 m in communication with the control & communicationsystems 62 (FIG. 8).

According to an aspect of this embodiment, the supplemental supply ofelectrical power 106 from an electrical grid infrastructure may befurther supplemented or alternatively, substituted for by electricalpower captured by PV solar cells 106 a and delivered to the first module110 via power transmission line 80 (FIG. 9). The amounts of electricalpower transmitted from the PV solar cells 106 a is continuously recordedby meter 80 m in constant communication with the control & communicationsystems 60. Additionally or alternatively, electrical power generated byone or more wind turbines 106 b may be delivered by power transmissionline 81 (FIG. 9). The amounts of electrical power transmitted from theone or more wind turbines 106 b is continuously recorded by meter 81 min constant communication with the control & communication systems 60.

According to another aspect of this embodiment, the supplemental supplyof electrical power 106 from an electrical grid infrastructure may befurther supplemented or alternatively, substituted for by electricalpower delivered from a power grid 106 c and delivered to the firstmodule 110 via power transmission line 82 (FIG. 10). The amounts ofelectrical power transmitted from the power grid 106 c is continuouslyrecorded by meter 82 m in constant communication with the control &communication systems 26.

According to another aspect of this embodiment, the supplemental supplyof electrical power 106 from an electrical grid infrastructure may befurther supplemented or alternatively, substituted for by electricalpower delivered from a smart energy grid 106 d and delivered to thefirst module 110 via power transmission line 83 (FIG. 10). The amountsof electrical power transmitted from the smart energy grid 106 d iscontinuously recorded by meter 83 m in constant communication with thecontrol & communication systems 60.

According to another aspect of this embodiment, the supplemental supplyof electrical power 106 from an electrical grid infrastructure may befurther supplemented or alternatively, substituted for by electricalpower delivered from a local distributed grid 106 e and delivered to thefirst module 110 via power transmission line 84 (FIG. 10). The amountsof electrical power transmitted from the local distributed grid 106 e iscontinuously recorded by meter 84 m in constant communication with thecontrol & communication systems 60.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a stand-aloneintegrated system, apparatus, and methods for the capture of heat energyand for the long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of thecaptured-heat energy at ambient temperatures illustrated in FIG. 11,wherein none of the captured-heat energy is used for generation ofelectrical power. An illustration of this version of a stand-aloneintegrated system comprises a three-loop closed-loop system 200comprising a first closed-loop 211, with the second long-distanceconveyance closed-loop 226 and the third captured-heat delivery module(not shown in FIG. 11) configured similarly to closed-loop 126, 136illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first module 210 of the three-loopclosed-loop system 200 comprises a heat energy capture loop 211 as wellas a heat exchanger (condenser) 13 of the second long-distanceconveyance loop 226 as well as heat exchanger (condenser) 13 of thesecond long-distance conveyance loop wherein are circulated LBP workingfluids.

The heat energy capture closed-loop 211 (FIG. 11) is interconnected to aheat energy source 204 by a piping infrastructure 5 comprising a pipe 6in communication with the heat energy source 204 and a heat exchanger 10within the heat energy capture closed-loop 211, and a pipe 7 incommunication with the heat exchanger 10 and the heat energy source 204.A working fluid circulates within the piping infrastructure 5 in pipes6, 7.

Electrical power 206 is supplied to the heat energy capture module 210of the three-loop closed-loop system 200 (FIG. 11) from one or more of apower grid or a smart energy grid or a local distributed grid via trunkpower transmission cable 80. A portion of the electrical power istransmitted via power cable 51 to the pump 14, and via power cable 52 tothe control and communication system 60. The amounts of electrical power206 delivered to the three-loop closed-loop system 200 are monitored andrecorded by meter 80 m, while the amounts of electrical power used forpowering the pump 14 and the control and communication system 60 aremonitored and recorded by meters 51 m and 52 m, respectively. The amountof electrical power delivered to the long-distance conveyance module 225via closed loop 226 is continuously monitored and recorded by meter 53m. The supplier of the electrical power 206 may bill the operator of thethree-loop closed-loop system 200 for the amounts of power delivered,while the operator may use the data recorded by meters 80 m and 53 m tomonitor and control the operating efficiency of the heat energy captureloop 211, and to monitor the transmission of electrical power into thelong-distance conveyance module 225 for metered delivery to downstreampower users.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 12relates to a stand-alone integrated system, apparatus, and methodswherein a two closed-loop system 300 is used for the capture of heatenergy and for the long-distance conveyance, storage, and distributionof the captured-heat energy at ambient temperatures.

The two-loop closed-loop system 300 (FIG. 12) comprises a heat energycapture and power generation loop (not shown) configured similarly tothe heat energy capture and power production loop 111 illustrated inFIGS. 1, and 2. The heat energy captured and electrical power generatedtherefrom in the first heat energy capture and power generation loop(not shown) is conveyed along the second long-distance conveyance loop125 in vapor flowline 21 and power transmission cable 53 to a heatenergy and power delivery module 335. In this two-loop closed-loopsystem 300, the captured-heat energy in a LBP fluid circulating in theclosed-loop piping infrastructure 336 is transferred by heat exchanger337 from the line 21 to a working fluid circulating in heat energydelivery flowline 338 to a heat energy user 340 a for return to the heatexchanger 337 via flowline 339. Meters 338 m, 339 m in communicationwith flowlines 338, 339, constantly monitor and record the amounts ofcaptured-heat energy delivered to the heat energy user 340 b from thetwo closed-loop system 300.

Electrical power generated in the first heat energy capture and powergeneration loop is conveyed along the long-distance conveyance module125 to the heat energy and power delivery module 335 in powertransmission cable 53. Meters 21 b, 21 c monitor the flow rate of thecaptured-heat energy in flowline 21, and if necessary, the control andcommunication system 64 draws power from the power transmission cable 53for transmission via power cable 54 to compressor 23 to control theflowrate of the captured-heat energy in flowline 21. Expansion valve 24is provided to control the flow of the LBP working fluid in flowline 22back to the first heat energy capture and power generation loop.Electrical power is delivered to a power user 340 b via powertransmission trunk cable 53, and the quantities of electrical powerdelivered are constantly monitored and recorded by meter 53 b (FIG. 12).

An example of another embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated in FIG. 11 and relates to a three closed-loop system 400with heat energy capture and power generation utilizing captured-heatenergy from a single site, long-distance conveyance along a trunk line,and delivery to multiple heat energy and power users via multiple branchheat-energy-delivery conveyance lines. The three closed-loop system 400comprises a first module 410 that is a heat energy capture and powergeneration module that may be configured capture heat energy from aselected heat energy source with a first closed-loop pipinginfrastructure in which is circulating a LBP working fluid, similarly tothe heat energy capture and power generation module 110 illustrated inFIGS. 1, and 2. The captured-heat energy is transferred from the firstmodule 410 to a second module 425 which is a long-distance captured-heatenergy and power-transmission trunk conveyance module comprising asecond closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is circulating a LBPworking fluid. The captured-heat energy is conveyed along thelong-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 425 in the vapor phase of the LBP working fluid, andis delivered to eight users “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f”, and “g” bybranch heat-energy-delivery conveyance modules 425 a, 425 b, 425 c, 425d, 425 e, 425 f, and 425 g, respectively (FIG. 13). A third closed-looppiping infrastructure wherein is circulating a LBP working fluid,interconnects each branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module 425 a,425 b, 425 c, 425 d, 425 e, 425 f, and 425 g with a heat energy andpower delivery module 435 a, 435 b, 435 c, 435 d, 435 e, 435 f, and 435g, respectively. Each of the heat energy and power delivery modules 435a-435 g may be configured similarly to the heat energy capture and powergeneration module 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 2. An integratedsystem and network of meters may be provided to monitor and record: (i)the amounts of heat energy captured by the first module 410 from theselected heat energy source, (ii) how much of the captured-heat energyis used for power generation by the first module 410, (iii) how muchcaptured-heat energy and power are transferred from the first module 410to the long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 425, (iv) how much captured-heat energy and power aretransferred from the long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 425 to each of the branchheat-energy-delivery conveyance modules 425 a-425 g, and (v) how muchcaptured-heat energy and power are transferred from each of the branchheat-energy-delivery conveyance modules 425 a-425 g to users “a”-“g” viaheat energy and power delivery modules 435 a-435 g.

Another example of an embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, and relates to a system 500 with: (i)heat energy capture and power generation utilizing captured-heat energyfrom multiple heat energy source sites, (ii) transfer of thecaptured-heat energy from each of the multiple heat energy source sitesto a long-distance trunk line for long-distance conveyance of thecaptured-heat energy and power therealong, (iii) and delivery of thecaptured-heat energy and power to multiple heat energy and power usersvia multiple branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance lines. A key for thesymbols used in FIG. 14 is provided in FIG. 15.

The system 500 illustrated in FIG. 14 comprises four geographicallyseparated heat energy capture and power generation modules 510 a, 510 b,510 c, and 510 d interconnected with the main long-distancecaptured-heat energy and power-transmission trunk conveyance module 525by branch captured-heat energy and power conveyance lines 525 a, 525 b,525 c, and 525 d respectively. The system 500 also comprises an input ofcaptured-heat energy 504 from a thermal solar heat source 554 conveyedto heat delivery site 540 b by a conveyance line 504 a.

The first heat energy capture and power generation module 510 a (FIG.14) comprises a heat energy capture and power generation loop configuredsimilarly to loop 111 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in communicationwith a geothermal heat source 551 to capture waste heat therefrom and togenerate power 555 with a portion of the captured waste heat energy. Thefirst heat energy capture and power generation module 510 a additionallycomprises a geothermal heat storage 561 (described in more detaillater). The remaining captured-heat energy and power generatedtherefrom, is transferred to the main long-distance captured-heat energyand power-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by a branchcaptured-heat energy conveyance line 525 a. Conversely, supplementalpower may be supplied to module 510 a via conveyance line 515 a.

Heat energy captured from the waste heat source 502 (FIG. 14) isconveyed to the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by a branch captured-heatenergy conveyance line 502 a configured similarly to loop 111illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The second heat energy capture and power generation module 510 b (FIG.14) comprises a heat energy capture and power generation loop configuredsimilarly to loop 111 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but in communicationwith a waste heat energy source 552 to capture waste heat therefrom andto generate power 555 with a portion of the captured waste heat energy.The remaining captured-heat energy and power generated therefrom, istransferred to the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by the branchcaptured-heat energy conveyance line 525 b. The second heat energycapture and power generation module 510 b additionally comprises afuel-fired boiler 553 from which waste heat energy is also captured andtransferred to the long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by the branchcaptured-heat energy conveyance line 525 b.

The third heat energy capture and power generation module 510 c (FIG.14) comprises a heat energy capture and power generation loop configuredsimilarly to loop 111 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in communicationwith a geothermal heat source 551 to capture waste heat therefrom and togenerate power 555 with a portion of the captured waste heat energy. Theremaining captured-heat energy and power generated therefrom, istransferred to the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by the branchcaptured-heat energy conveyance line 525 c. Conversely, supplementalpower may be supplied to module 510 c via conveyance line 525 a.

The fourth heat energy capture and power generation module 510 d (FIG.14) comprises a heat energy capture and power generation loop configuredsimilarly to loop 111 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in communicationwith (i) a thermal solar heat source 554 to capture waste heattherefrom, and (ii) a PV solar power generating apparatus 558. Thecaptured-heat energy from the thermal solar heat source 554 and powergenerated from the a PV solar power generating apparatus 558, istransferred to the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 by the branchcaptured-heat energy conveyance line 525 d. The fourth heat energycapture and power generation module 510 d additionally comprises ageothermal heat storage 561 (described in more detail later) and a powerstorage module 562.

The system 500 illustrated in FIG. 14 may additionally comprise one ormore wind turbines 506 a for generating electrical power which istransferred by a power transmission cable 506 aa to the mainlong-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 525. The system 500 may also comprise a PV solar powergeneration installation 506 b that converts sunlight into electricity,which transferred by a power transmission cable 506 bb to the mainlong-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 525.

The system 500 illustrated in FIG. 14 has eight heat energy and powerdelivery locations 540 a, 540 b, 540 c, 540 d, 540 e, 540 f, 540 g, and540 h. Each of the heat energy and power delivery locations 540 a, 540b, 540 c, 540 d, 540 e, 540 f, 540 g, 540 h, is interconnected with themain long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 525 by branch heat energy and power delivery modules535 a, 535 b, 535 c, 535 d, 535 e, 535 f, 535 g, 535 h, respectively.Each of the branch heat energy and power delivery modules 535 a, 535 b,535 c, 535 d, 535 e, 535 f, 535 g, 535 h, comprises a closed-loop pipinginfrastructure wherein is circulating a LBP working fluid configuredsimilarly to the third closed-loop 136 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,that interconnects the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525 with the heat energy andpower delivery locations 540 a, 540 b, 540 c, 540 d, 540 e, 540 f, 540g, and 540 h.

Heat energy delivery location 540 b (FIG. 14) additionally receives heatenergy and solar energy captured by a solar thermal power installation504 having a solar collector system to heat an energy storage systemduring daylight hours and then uses the heat from the storage system toproduce electrical power. The heat energy delivery location 540 b isinterconnected to the solar thermal power installation 504 by conveyanceline 504 a.

The system 500 (FIG. 14) may also be provided with and interconnectedwith a stand-alone power storage module 515 a wherein excess powergenerated in other modules, for example in modules 510 a, 510 b, 510 c,510 d, 506 a, can be stored and drawn from during periods of time whendemands for power from one one of or all of power users 540 a-540 hincrease significantly. Suitable examples of stand-alone power storagefacilities include containerized sodium sulphur (NaS) battery unitsavailable from NGK Insulators Ltd (Aichi Prefecture, Japan), modularsystems consisting of multiple 10-cell modules of rechargeablezinc-air-cell batteries available from NantEnergy Inc. (Scottsdale,Ariz., USA), lithium-based Powerpack systems available from Tesla Inc.(Palo Alto, Calif., USA), and the like.

The system 500 (FIG. 14) may also be interconnected with a heat storagemodule 515 b by a closed-loop piping infrastructure 515 bb wherein iscirculating a LBP working fluid or a substance such as water, hot oil,glycol solution, gases, and the like, with or without phase change, fordelivery and storage of excess captured-heat energy that may becirculating in the main long-distance captured-heat energy andpower-transmission trunk conveyance module 525, and then transferringthe stored captured-heat energy back to the main long-distancecaptured-heat energy and power-transmission trunk conveyance module 525on an as-needed basis. Examples of a suitable heat storage module 515 bmay be a shallow geological formation of crystalline rocks (e.g.,granite), near surface subsoil, freshwater aquifer, body of water,storage tank, and the like. For subsurface storage, multiple closelyspaced holes may be bored to depths ranging from 2 m to 20 m or moreinto which are inserted one of tubing wherein is flowing a workingfluid, or alternatively, heat-conductive metal rods. Excess capturedheat energy may be recovered when a heat energy demand is placed on thesystem 500 by one or more heat energy users 540 a-540 h. Another exampleof a suitable subterranean geothermal heat-sink storage module 561includes a closed-loop piping infrastructure in communication with, forexample, the long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmissiontrunk conveyance module and a subterranean water body or alternatively,an aquifer. A working fluid circulating within the piping infrastructuremay transfer excess captured heat energy from the main long-distancecaptured-heat energy and power-transmission trunk conveyance module 525to the heat storage module 561, and subsequently, may recover and returnthe stored heat energy from the heat storage module 561 to the mainlong-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunkconveyance module 525.

The following examples are provided to more fully various embodimentsdisclosed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of thisdisclosure in any way.

Example 1: Thermodynamic Modelling of a Three Closed-Loop CirculationSystem According to an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure

Thermodynamic modelling was carried out for the three loop-closed-loopcirculation system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14 operating at 0° C.ambient, to demonstrate the functionality and workability of theclosed-loop circulation systems disclosed herein from an engineeringthermodynamics perspective.

A simplified thermodynamic model as outlined herein was utilized. Somekey elements of the thermodynamic model are:

-   1. Three closed loops wherein are circulating LBP working fluids, as    disclosed in various embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein:    -   The first loop is a heat energy capture and power generation        loop 111 configured as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16 and        comprises a simple Rankine cycle having a pump 14, a heat        exchanger 10 that functions as a boiler (or a vaporiser or an        evaporator), an expander 11 coupled with a generator 12 that        captures mechanical energy with which to generate electrical        power, and a heat exchanger 13 that functions as the condenser.        The first loop 111 may be considered a simplified Organic Rankin        Cycle (ORC) system because a LBP fluid is circulated within the        loop 111 and has been configured to demonstrate the        thermodynamic feasibility of this embodiment. Those skilled in        this art will understand that other configurations and equipment        such as reheat cycles, regenerative cycles, combined reheat and        regenerative cycles, and the like, may be selected to adapt and        optimize the systems disclosed herein, for specific situations        and/or operating conditions and/or optimization goals. For        example, the expander 11 could be substituted for with a turbine        as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16, or alternatively, with a        scroll, or a screw, or a rotary vane, or another type of        suitable expander known to those skilled in this art. Also,        other types of technologies may be substituted for the Rankine        cycle and the organic Rankine cycle technologies. For example, a        Kalina cycle technology may be substituted, or a sterling-engine        cycle technology, or an absorption cycle technology, and the        like.    -   The second loop is a long-distance heat-energy conveyance loop        126 configured as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16 and comprises a        compressor 23, a heat exchanger 32 that functions as a        condenser, an expansion valve 24, and a heat exchanger 13 that        functions as an evaporator, with engineering thermodynamic        characteristics similar to that of a simplified heat pump cycle.        Those skilled in this art will understand that other        configurations and equipment such as cascade technologies, or        multistage compression technologies, or absorption technologies,        and the like, may be selected to adapt and optimize the systems        disclosed herein, for specific situations and/or operating        conditions and/or optimization goals.    -   The third loop is a heat energy delivery loop 136 as illustrated        in FIGS. 1 and 16, and comprises a compressor 33, a heat        exchanger 34 that functions as a condenser, an expansion valve        35, and a heat exchanger 32 that functions as an evaporator,        with engineering thermodynamic characteristics similar to that        of a simplified heat pump cycle. Those skilled in this art will        understand that other configurations and equipment such as        cascade technologies, or multistage compression technologies, or        absorption technologies, and the like, may be selected to adapt        and optimize the systems disclosed herein, for specific        situations and/or operating conditions and/or optimization        goals.-   2. Captured heat energy is transferred between the three closed    loops as follows:    -   Heat energy captured from a source of heat energy is delivered        to the heat energy capture and power generation loop 111, as        illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16, to a heat exchanger 10 wherein a        high-pressure LBP working fluid in the heat energy capture and        power generation loop 111 is evaporated (boiled) into a        high-pressure vapor that drives the expander 11 which in turn,        drives the generator 12 to generate power. Heat exchanger 10 can        be a vessel wherein heat energy is exchanged within the vessel        or alternatively, may a configuration wherein the heat exchanger        that vaporises the circulating fluid is comprised of flowlines        that extend into an outside heat energy source such as a        wellbore, or into a nearby heat source, or the like.    -   The heat energy capture and power generation loop 111 and the        long distance conveyance loop 126, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and        16, are connected via a heat exchanger 13 that functions as: (i)        a condenser on the heat energy capture and power generation loop        side 111 and (ii) an evaporator on the conveyance loop side 126,        whereby low-pressure vapor is condensed on the heat energy        capture and power generation side 111 and liquid in the        long-distance conveyance loop side 126 that is returning from        the delivery module is evaporated. Condensation of the vapor        releases heat energy that is transferred via the heat exchanger        13 to evaporate the liquid returning to the heat energy capture        and power generation module 110 from the delivery module 135 via        the long distance conveyance module 125 and thereafter, the        vapor is returned to the delivery module.    -   The long-distance conveyance loop 126 and the delivery loop 136,        as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16, are connected via a heat        exchanger 32 that functions as a condenser on the conveyance        loop side 126 and an evaporator on the delivery loop side 136,        whereby vapor is condensed on the conveyance loop side 126 and        liquid on the delivery loop side 136 is evaporated. Condensation        of the vapor releases heat energy that is transferred via the        heat exchanger 32 to evaporate the low-pressure liquid on the        delivery loop side 136, whereafter the liquid on the conveyance        loop side 126 is returned to the heat energy capture and power        generation module 110.    -   Captured heat energy is delivered to a heat user site 140 b as        illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16 from the delivery loop 136 via a        heat exchanger 34 whereby vapor in the delivery loop 136 is        condensed thereby releasing heat energy for use in the heat user        site 140 b. The heat exchanger 34 could be, for example but is        not necessarily restricted to, aerial fan-driven heating coils        or hot-water heaters or boilers heating circulating hot water or        steam.-   3. Operating parameters of the model:    -   (a) The schematic flowchart in FIG. 16 and the table in FIG. 18        summarize the operating parameters of the thermodynamic model.        Locations of the state points are shown in FIG. 16 and the        values used in the model in the table on FIG. 18. The state        points are:        -   (i)            for the first heat energy capture and power generation loop            111 and the pump 14, the first heat exchanger 10, the            turbine 11, and the second heat exchanger 13, respectively;        -   (ii)            for the second long distance conveyance loop 126 and the            compressor 23, the third heat exchanger 32, the expansion            valve 24, and the second heat exchanger 13, respectively;            and        -   (iii)            for the third heat energy delivery loop 136 and the            compressor 33, the fourth heat exchanger 34, the expansion            valve 35, and the third heat exchanger 32, respectively.    -   (b) The values for pressure, temperature, enthalpy, and entropy        for each of the state points used in this model        for loop 111,        for loop 126, and        for loop 136 are summarized for the base model on the table in        FIG. 18, in reference to the inlet and outlet values for each of        the: (i) the pump 14, the first heat exchanger 10, the turbine        11, and the second heat exchanger 13, respectively, of the first        heat energy capture and power generation loop 111, (ii) the        compressor 23, the third heat exchanger 32, the expansion valve        24, and the second heat exchanger 13, respectively, of the        second long-distance conveyance loop 126, and (iii) the        compressor 33, the fourth heat exchanger 34, the expansion valve        35, and the third heat exchanger 32, respectively, of the third        heat energy delivery loop 136.    -   (c) For the base model, an 80° C. source temperature and a 0° C.        outlet temperature were used for the first heat energy capture        and power generation loop 111, a 0° C. inlet temperature and a        15° C. outlet temperature were used for the second long-distance        conveyance loop 126, and a 15° C. inlet temperature and a 60° C.        outlet temperature were used for the third heat energy delivery        loop. It should be noted that the 0° C. temperatures were        considered as the ambient conveyance temperature for this model.    -   (d) The values used for this model were simplified idealisations        wherein (i) the efficiencies of pumps, compressors, and        expanders were at 100%, (ii) temperature differentials across        heat exchangers were not included, (iii) heat losses or gains        outside of the system including in the long-distance conveyance        lines were not included, and (iv) the power requirements for        long-distance flowline compressors and pumps 25, 26 were not        included. Those skilled in this art will understand that        real-world equipment efficiencies will be in the 87-93% range,        that there will be temperature differentials in the heat        exchangers for heat energy transfer to occur, and there will be        heat losses or gains from outside of the system. On the other        hand, real world configurations will include optimisations and        therefore, this simplified model is sufficient for illustrating        the engineering thermodynamics of the various embodiments of the        present disclosure.    -   (e) The LBP working fluids chosen for the first heat energy        capture and power generation loop 111, the second long-distance        conveyance loop 126, and the third heat energy delivery loop        136, were ammonia, ethane, and difluoromethane R-32,        respectively. However, it is to be noted that there are numerous        other LBP working fluids that have suitable thermodynamic and        physical properties, and may also be selected for use as LBP        working fluids in each of the three loops 111, 126, 136        disclosed herein. For example, some suitable LBP fluids include        CO₂, chlorodifluoromethane R-22, dichlorodifluoromethane R-12,        propane, propene, propylene, and the like (FIGS. 19, 20, 21).    -   (f) The enthalpy and entropy state points for the ammonia        working fluid circulating in the first heat energy capture and        power generation loop 111, are shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B,        respectively. The enthalpy and entropy state points for the        ethane working fluid circulating in the second long-distance        conveyance loop 126, are shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B,        respectively. The enthalpy and entropy state points for the        difluoromethane working fluid circulating in the third heat        energy delivery loop 136, are shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B,        respectively.-   4. Energy balance calculations and some key observations:    -   (a) In addition to the base energy balance model for an 80° C.        heat energy source using the operating parameters listed in FIG.        16, energy balances were modelled for heat energy sources having        temperatures of 60° C., 100° C., 120° C., and 140° C., as shown        in the table in FIG. 23. All of the modelling cases were based        on a heat energy capture and power generation loop 111        circulation rate of 1 kg/s, with the outlet temperature of the        heat exchanger 10 at the same temperature as the heat energy        source temperature. Energy balances were modelled-matched both        within each of the three loops 111, 126, 136, and between the        loops 111-126 and 126-136. This model also calculated the        -   (i) enthalpy change rates for each element 14, 10, 11-12,            13, of the loops 111, for each element 23, 32, 24, 13 of            loop 126, and for each element 33, 34, 35, 32 of loop 136,            from each element's inlet and outlet values,        -   (ii) the energy transferred between loops 111-126 and            126-136,        -   (iii) the amounts of power produced,        -   (iv) the amounts of power used, and        -   (v) power shortfalls or surpluses, together with the amount            of heat energy delivered to the user.    -   (b) As shown in the table on FIG. 25, increasing the heat source        temperature increased the fraction of mechanical energy        extracted from the heat energy to generate power. One outcome of        the 2^(nd) law of thermodynamics is that the fraction of heat        energy that can be converted into mechanical energy for power        generation by a heat engine is higher for higher source        temperatures (T_(H)) compared to sink temperatures (T_(L)).        Accordingly, it is evident that this system had the ability to        generate power for its own requirements, and surplus power        generated increased as the heat source temperatures were        increased.    -   (c) The amounts of power produced, power used, and shortfalls or        surpluses as well as fraction of power requirements generated by        the system 100 (FIG. 16) are summarized in FIG. 26. Based on        this model, the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 14, began to        generate power sufficient for its own requirements at heat        source temperatures above 112° C. However, at lower heat source        temperatures, i.e., at of 60° C. and 80° C. respectively, the        system 100 still provided 54% and 72% of its power requirements.        The power shortfall can be made up in such situations, by        incorporating options such as using a fuel-fired heater-boiler        as illustrated in FIG. 5, or by purchasing power from a grid as        illustrated in FIG. 10, or by topping up the heat source        temperature as illustrated in FIG. 4, to levels where the system        100 is self-sufficient in power, as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is        also an option to acquire supplemental power from a grid or        other sources as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.    -   (d) Those skilled in this art will understand that the        embodiments of the present disclosure and the associated        opportunities are based on engineering fundamentals that        include, for example:        -   (iii) most engineering thermodynamic methodologies and            processes are based on what is commonly referred to as “burn            and turn” strategies whereby a fuel is burned to produce            heat energy, using as much of the produced heat energy as            possible to produce mechanical energy, and disposing of the            what isn't captured for production of mechanical energy. An            example of such “burn and turn” strategies includes a power            plant that burns coal to generate high-pressure steam, flows            the high-pressure steam through a turbine to produce            mechanical energy with which to generate power, condenses            the low-pressure steam to water thereby ejecting the heat to            a cooling pond or other heat sink, and then pumping the            water back into the boiler for reheating. Based such            strategies, designing a system that is 11% efficient (for            example 11% of the heat energy converted to mechanical            energy per the heat balance modelling shown in the table on            FIG. 16 for the 80° C. source temperature case) does not            make sense as 89% of the energy is ejected (i.e., disposed            of, wasted).        -   (ii) However the systems disclosed herein are less concerned            about the efficiency being only 10% or so. The systems            disclosed herein may scavenge necessary or available heat            energy for power generation to operate the system,            additionally buying power or selling surplus power, and then            sending whatever heat energy is left to a heat energy user            wherein power generated is used (plus a top up of power or            heat energy if necessary) to power the conveyance and            delivery loops.        -   (iii) An outcome of the 2^(nd) law of thermodynamics is that            theoretical reversible efficiency (amount of heat energy            converted to mechanical energy) of a reversible heat engine            is a function of the ratio of the heat source temperature to            the heat sink temperature (η_(th,rev)=1−T_(L)/T_(H), in °            K). For a heat source temperature of 80° C. and a            conventional strategy of ejecting heat at ambient (heat            sink) temperatures of say 15° C., η_(th,rev)=0.184            (1−288/353), however for a sink heat of 0° C.            η_(th,rev)=0.227 (1−273/353). For a source temperature of            60° C. η_(th,rev) is 0.135 and 0.180 for sink temperatures            15° C. and 0° C. respectively. Accordingly, an aspect of the            embodiments of the present disclosure is that the sink            temperature (T_(L)) is lower than ambient, thereby allowing            more of the source heat energy to be utilized for generating            high-value mechanical energy for generating power.    -   (e) Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure        and the associated opportunities is that these systems do not        require that all the heat energy be captured from one source. As        illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, the systems disclosed        herein may access heat and power energy from multiple sources        and from combinations of multiple sources. For example, if the        source temperature is 80° C. that, based on this model will        generate only 81% of the required power, a fuel-fired        heater-boiler could be utilized to top up the source temperature        to the 112° C. breakeven point. The system thus becomes        self-sufficient in power requirements, with some supplemental        fuel being used to top up the captured heat energy, with much of        the energy from the top-up fuel required to generate additional        power eventually still ending up as heat energy delivered to the        user as power energy used by the compressors and pumps is        transferred to the energy of the circulating LBP fluids as heat        energy.

Example 2: Modelling of a Stand-Alone Self-Sufficient Long-DistanceHeat-Energy and Power-Generation Capture, Distribution, Delivery, andStorage System According to an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure,Based on Systems with Configurations Comprising of Three Closed Loops

Example 2 pertains to the modelling of a stand-alone self-sufficientlong-distance heat-energy and power-generation capture, distribution,delivery, and storage system expanded from the system 400 illustrated inFIG. 13, whereby an expanded heat energy capture and power generationmodule delivers power and heat energy to multiple energy user sites.This part of the model illustrates how the engineering thermodynamics ofsuch a system could function and shows that such a system is functionaland workable.

In reference to the results of the modelling for Example 1 as summarizedin the table on FIG. 23 together with the assumptions and calculationssummarized in the table on FIG. 25, given a circulation rate of 1 kg/sof ammonia in the heat energy capture and power generation loop, theamount of energy delivered by the delivery loop was 1,480 kJ/s, which isan amount of energy that could supply sixty three residences with a heatduty of 23.4 kW (80,000 Btu/hr) per residence. As each of the sixtythree delivery sites would have delivery modules with capacity and powerrequirements 1/63 of the one delivery model outlined in Example 1, thepower requirements for the long-distance conveyance loop compressor andthe heat energy delivery loop compressor would be 1.1 and 2.3 kW (1.5and 3.1 hp) respectively for a total of 3.53 kW (4.6 hp). The modellingresults in Example 2 demonstrate that the system provides a workablepower requirement for a residential location, in particular since thepower would be supplied by the system. As well the amount of top-uppower requirements at the heat energy capture and power generationmodule for the lower-temperature heat energy locations would be quitesmall on a per residence basis.

Based on the results of the model disclosed in Example 1, the amount ofheat energy captured with a circulation rate of 1 kg/s of ammonia wouldrange from 1,379 to 1,538 kW for the range of heat source temperaturesmodelled. If the heat energy captured by the first heat energy captureand power generation loop was from a low-enthalpy geothermal heat energysource whereby deep sedimentary aquifer water is circulated from awellbore or wellbores through the first heat exchanger of the heatenergy capture and power generation loop, the circulation rates wouldvary from 474 to 226 m³/d (i.e., 2,984 to 1,419 bbl/d).

As calculated in the model of Example 1, the amount of power generatedfor the range of temperatures modelled is 119 to 278 kW (equivalent of160 to 373 hp).

As for Example 1, these calculations are based on a simplified modelthat does not include calculations for power use by equipment as suchflowline booster pumps and compressors, to circulate geothermal water,and auxiliaries. Albeit simplified, the results of the model affirm anddemonstrate that the systems outlined in the embodiments of thisdisclosure are workable.

Example 3: Thermodynamic Modelling of a Two Closed-Loop CirculationSystem According to an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure

Thermodynamic modelling was carried out for the two loop-closed-loopcirculation system illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 17, and operating at a 15°C. ambient temperature.

The simplified three-loop thermodynamic model described in Example 1 wasmodified to model a two-loop closed-loop system. As illustrated in FIG.17, the two-loop closed-loop system 300 did not include the thirddelivery loop. Instead of the heat energy being delivered to a user asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 16 from the delivery loop 136 via a heatexchanger 34 whereby the delivery loop vapor was condensed therebyreleasing heat energy for use by the user, the heat energy was deliveredto the user directly from the conveyance loop 126 as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 17 via a heat exchanger 337 whereby the conveyance loopvapor was condensed releasing heat energy directly for use by the user.

It is to be noted that warmer ambient conveyance temperatures drive apreference for two-loop closed-loop systems, while colder ambientconveyance temperature drive a preference for three loop-closed systemswherein the temperature difference between ambient conditions and theheat energy user is higher.

The operating parameters used in the two-loop model are shown in thetable in FIG. 28 are similar to those used in Example 1 (FIG. 18). Theenergy balance results for Example 3 are summarized in the table in FIG.29 and FIGS. 30A, 30B in a similar fashion to those for Example 1 (seeFIGS. 25, 26A, 26B).

The amount of available mechanical energy for power generation in theheat energy capture and power generation loop was less due to highersink temperatures. However, the amount of power required to deliver heatenergy to the user at the delivery site was less because the temperatureincrease was less, and in the case of this model, largely offsetting.

Example 4: Modelling of a Stand-Alone Self-Sufficient Long-DistanceHeat-Energy and Power-Generation Capture, Distribution, Delivery, andStorage System According to an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure,Based on Systems with Configurations Comprising of Two Closed Loops

Example 4 is a model of a stand-alone self-sufficient long-distanceheat-energy and power-generation capture, distribution, delivery, andstorage system configured as illustrated in FIG. 13, whereby a heatenergy capture and power generation module delivers power and heatenergy to several user sites utilizing a two closed-loop system 400operating at an ambient temperature of 15° C.

The model for Example 2 was modified whereby the system 400 asillustrated in FIG. 13 is configured for a two-loop closed-loop systeminstead of a three-loop closed-loop system. As for Example 3, this partof the model illustrates how the engineering thermodynamics of such asystem could function.

In reference to the results of the modelling for Example 2 as summarizedin the table on FIG. 28 together with the assumptions and calculationssummarized in the table on FIG. 29, given a circulation rate of 1 kg/sof ammonia in the heat energy capture and power generation loop, assummarized in FIG. 31, the amount of energy delivered to the heat energyuser by the conveyance loop is 1,383 kJ/s, which is an amount of energythat could supply fifty nine residences with a heat duty of 23.4 kW(80,000 Btu/hr) per residence. As each of the fifty nine delivery siteswould have delivery modules with capacity and power requirements 1/59 ofthe one delivery model outlined in Example 3, the power requirements forthe conveyance loop compressor would be 3.0 kW (4.0 hp). This exampleprovides a functional and workable power requirement for a residentiallocation, in particular since the power would be supplied by the system.As well the amount of top-up power requirements at the heat energycapture and power generation module for the lower-temperature heatenergy sources would be quite small on a per residence basis.

Based on the results of the model described in Example 2, the amount ofheat energy captured with a circulation rate of 1 kg/s of ammonia wouldrange from 1,291 to 1,444 kW for the range of heat source temperaturesmodelled. However, if the heat energy captured were from a low-enthalpygeothermal heat energy source whereby deep sedimentary aquifer water iscirculated from a wellbore or wellbores through the heat exchanger ofthe heat energy capture and power generation loop, the circulation rateswould vary from 444 to 212 m³/d (i.e., 2,794 to 1,332 bbl/d).

As calculated in the model of Example 1, the amount of power generatedfor the range of temperatures modelled is 87 to 240 kW (equivalent of117 to 321 hp).

These results are based on a simplified thermodynamic model as describedin Example 2. Albeit simplified the model serves to demonstrate thatsystems based on these embodiments are functional and workable.

NUMBER KEY

FIGS. 1-3

-   100—three-loop system with heat energy capture and power generation,    long-distance conveyance, and delivery to a single site; FIGS. 1, 2,    3-   104—heat energy source-   106—delivered supplemental electrical power source-   110—heat energy capture and power generation module-   111—heat energy capture and power generation loop-   125—long-distance conveyance module-   126—long-distance conveyance loop-   135—heat energy delivery module-   136—heat energy delivery loop-   140 a—heat user-   140 b—power user-   5—first closed-loop piping infrastructure-   6—vapor flowline (1^(st) closed loop)-   6 m—meter vapor flowline-   7—liquid flowline (1^(st) closed loop)-   7 m—meter liquid flowline-   10—heat exchanger, heat energy source 104 to loop 111-   11—turbine, loop 111-   12—generator-   13—heat exchanger, loop 111 to loop 126-   14—pump, loop 111-   15—heat exchanger (FIGS. 6, 7)-   16—expansion valve (FIG. 11)-   20—second closed-loop infrastructure-   21—vapor flowline, loop 126-   21 a—meter vapor flowline, loop 126 module 110-   21 b—meter vapor flowline, loop 126 module 125-   21 c—meter high pressure vapor, loop 126 module 135-   22—liquid flowline, loop 126-   22 a—meter liquid flowline, loop 126 module 110-   22 b—meter liquid flowline, loop 126 module 135-   22 c—meter high-pressure liquid, loop 126 module 135-   23—compressor, loop 126-   24—expansion valve, loop 126-   25—booster compressors, module 125-   26—booster pumps, module 125-   32—heat exchanger, loop 126 to loop 136-   33—compressor, loop 136-   34—heat exchanger, loop 136 to heat user 140 a-   35—expansion valve, loop 136-   40—third closed-loop piping infrastructure-   41—vapor flowline pipe, heat user 140 a supply-   41 m—meter, vapor flowline 41-   42—liquid flowline pipe, heat user 140 a return-   42 m—meter, liquid flowline 42-   50—electric power transmission cable-   50 m—meter, power cable 50-   51—power cable, pump 14 supply-   51 m—meter, power cable 51-   52—power cable into control & communications 60-   52 m—meter, power cable 52-   53—power transmission trunk cable, module 126-   53 a—meter, power transmission trunk cable 53 into 2^(nd) module 125-   53 b—meter, power transmission trunk cable 53 to power user 140 b-   54—power cable, compressor 23 supply-   54 m—meter, power cable 54-   55—power cable, compressor 32 supply-   55 m—meter, power cable 55-   56—power cable into control & communications 64-   56 m—meter, power cable 56-   60—control & communication systems, module 110-   62—control system cable, module 126-   64—control & communication systems, module 135-   65—line bundle    FIGS. 4-7-   70—vapor flowline from geothermal source 104 a to heat exchanger 10,    loop 111-   70 m—meter, vapor flowline 70-   71—liquid flowline from heat exchanger 10 to geothermal source 104    a, loop 111-   71 m—meter, liquid flowline 71-   72—vapor flowline from thermal solar source 104 b to heat exchanger    10, loop 111-   72 m—meter, vapor flowline 72-   73—liquid flowline from heat exchanger 10 to thermal solar source    104 b, loop 111-   73 m—meter, liquid flowline 73-   74—vapor flowline from waste heat source 104 c to heat exchanger 10,    loop 111-   74 m—meter, vapor flowline 74-   75—liquid flowline from heat exchanger 10 to waste heat source 104    c, loop 111-   75 m—meter, liquid flowline 75-   76—liquid flowline from heat energy source 104 to fueled    boiler-heater source source 108, loop 111-   76 m—meter, liquid flowline 76-   77—vapor flowline from fueled boiler-heater source 108 to heat    exchanger 10, loop 111-   77 m—meter, vapor flowline 77    FIGS. 8-10-   78—power cable from delivered supplemental electrical power source    106-   78 m—meter, power cable 78-   80—power cable transmitting supplemental electrical power from PV    solar source 106 a-   80 m—meter, power cable 80-   81—power cable transmitting supplemental electrical power from a    power grid 106 b-   81 m—meter, power cable 81-   82—power cable transmitting supplemental electrical power from a    smart energy grid 106 c-   82 m—meter, power cable 82-   83—power cable transmitting supplemental electrical power from a    local distributed grid 106 d-   83 m—meter, power cable 83    FIG. 11-   200—three-loop system without power generation-   204—heat energy source-   206—delivered supplemental electrical power from a supplemental    source-   210—heat energy capture and power generation module-   211—heat energy capture and power generation loop-   225—long-distance conveyance module-   226—long-distance conveyance loop    FIG. 12-   300—two-loop system, conveyance loop is delivery loop (FIG. 10)-   335—delivery module-   336—delivery loop-   337—heat exchanger in communication with long-distance conveyance    loop 126-   338—vapor flowline from heat exchanger 337 to heat user 340 a-   338 m—meter vapor flowline-   339—liquid flowline from heat user 340 a to heat exchanger 337-   339 m—meter liquid flowline    FIG. 13:-   400—three closed-loop system with heat energy capture and power    generation, long-distance conveyance, and delivery to multiple sites-   410—heat energy capture and power generation module-   425—long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunk    conveyance module-   425 a—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “a”-   425 b—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “b”-   425 c—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “c”-   425 d—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “d”-   425 e—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “e”-   425 f—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “f”-   425 g—branch heat-energy-delivery conveyance module to user “g”-   435 a—heat energy and power delivery module to user “a”-   435 b—heat energy and power delivery module to user “b”-   435 c—heat energy and power delivery module to user “c”-   435 d—heat energy and power delivery module to user “d”-   435 e—heat energy and power delivery module to user “e”-   435 f—heat energy and power delivery module to user “f”-   435 g—heat energy and power delivery module to user “g”    FIGS. 14-15-   500—heat energy capture and distribution system having a main    long-distance conveyance trunkline interconnected with multiple heat    energy capture and power generation loops and with multiple heat    energy and power delivery sites-   502—waste heat energy source-   502 a—branch conveyance line from 502 to 525-   504—thermal solar heat energy source-   504 a—conveyance line from 504 to 540 b-   506 a—module for generating power from PV solar-   506 aa—branch conveyance line from 506 a to 525-   506 b—module for capturing heat energy from thermal solar-   506 bb—branch conveyance line from 506 a to 525-   510 a—a first installation of a heat energy capture and power    generation module (having heat-sink storage)-   510 b—a second installation of a heat energy capture and power    generation module (having a supplemental fuel-fired heat source)-   510 c—a third installation of a heat energy capture and power    generation module-   510 d—a fourth installation of a heat energy capture and power    generation module (heat energy from thermal solar; power generation    from PV solar; a heat-sink storage; power storage)-   515 a—power storage module-   515 aa—power cables to/from 515 a and 525-   515 b—geothermal heat storage module-   515 bb—branch conveyance line from 515 b to 525-   525—long-distance captured-heat energy and power-transmission trunk    conveyance module-   525 a—branch conveyance line from 510 a-   525 b—branch conveyance line from 510 b-   525 c—branch conveyance line from 510 c-   525 d—branch conveyance line to/from 525 d-   535 a—branch conveyance line to 540 a-   535 b—branch conveyance line to 540 b-   535 c—branch conveyance line to 540 c-   535 d—branch conveyance line to 540 d-   535 e—branch conveyance line to 540 e-   540 f—branch conveyance line to 540 f-   540 g—branch conveyance line to 540 g-   540 h—branch conveyance line to 540 h-   540 a—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 b—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 c—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 d—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 e—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 f—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 g—heat and power delivery module/user-   540 h—heat and power delivery module/user-   551—geothermal heat source-   552—waste heat source-   553—fuel-fired heat source-   554—thermal solar heat source-   555—heat source power generation-   556—fuel-fired power generation-   557—wind power generation-   558—PV solar power generation-   559—heat user-   560—power user-   561—geothermal heat-sink storage module-   562—power storage module    FIG. 16-   111-    —state point 1, loop 111-   111-    —state point 2, loop 111-   111-    —state point 3, loop 111-   111-    —state point 4, loop 111-   126-    —state point 5, loop 126-   126-    —state point 6, loop 126-   126-    —state point 7, loop 126-   126-    —state point 8, loop 126-   126-    —state point 9, loop 126-   126-    —state point 10, loop 126-   136-    —state point 11, loop 136-   136-    —state point 12, loop 136-   136-    —state point 13, loop 136-   136-    —state point 14, loop 136    FIG. 15-   326-    —state point 6, loop 326-   326-    —state point 7, loop 326-   326-    —state point 8, loop 326-   326-    —state point 9, loop 326

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for capturing and collectingenergy from an energy supply location and delivering the captured energyto an energy delivery location, the system comprising: a heat energycapture closed-loop module in communication with a source of heatenergy, said heat energy capture closed-loop module comprising a firstclosed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is circulating a firstlow-temperature-boiling-point working fluid having a liquid phase and avapor phase, said first closed-loop module configured to capture theheat energy from the source of heat energy and to transfer the capturedheat energy to the first low-temperature-boiling-point working fluidthereby converting the first working fluid into its vapor phase, saidfirst closed-loop module provided with an apparatus configured forgenerating electrical power by converting a portion of the vaporizedworking fluid into its liquid phase; and a long-distance umbilical cordapparatus configured for interconnecting the heat energy captureclosed-loop module with the energy delivery location, said umbilicalcord apparatus comprising: a first end that is demountably and sealablyengageable with the heat energy capture closed-loop module; a second endthat is demountably and sealably engageable with the energy deliverylocation; a first pipe configured for demountable and sealableengagement with the energy supply location and for receiving therefrom afirst flow of a second low-temperature-boiling-point working fluidselected from ammonia, CO₂, ethane, propane, propene, propylene,chlorodifluoromethane R-22, dichlorodifluoromethane R-12, anddifluoromethane R-32, and for demountable and sealable engagement withthe energy delivery location and for delivery of the first flow thereto,said first pipe provided with a first protective covering therealong; asecond pipe configured for demountable and sealable engagement with theenergy delivery location and for receiving therefrom a second flow ofthe second low-temperature-boiling-point working fluid selected fromammonia, CO₂, ethane, propane, propene, propylene, chlorodifluoromethaneR-22, dichlorodifluoromethane R-12, and difluoromethane R-32, and fordemountable and sealable engagement with the energy supply location andfor delivery of the second flow thereto, said second pipe provided witha second protective covering therealong; a power transmission trunkcable configured for demountable engagement with heat energy captureclosed-loop module and the energy delivery location; and a controlsystems cable configured for demountable engagement with the heat energycapture closed-loop module and the energy delivery location; wherein thefirst pipe, the second pipe, the power transmission trunk cable, and thecontrol systems cable are bundled together and are provided with a thirdprotective covering therealong from the first end to the second end. 2.The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the firstprotective covering, the second protective covering, and the thirdprotective covering comprises a temperature-resistant material.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first protectivecovering, the second protective covering, and the third protectivecovering comprises an insulating material.
 4. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the third protective covering is a flexible coiledtubing.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the long-distanceumbilical cord apparatus additionally comprises a sensor therealong. 6.The system according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is a leakage sensor.7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the long-distance umbilical cord apparatus is demountably and sealably engageablewith a first end of a second long-distance umbilical cord apparatus.